Wyoming legislators begin the 2010 budget session next week in Cheyenne, where they will decide over the next month how much money to spend, how much to save and how much to cut.Unlike many states in the U.S., Wyoming is one of the few that is still in a position to keep money in the bank.Amid decreases in sales tax revenues and the governor's proposal for funding cuts, local governments around the state have asked legislators to consider dipping into rainy-day reserve funding. Their concern is that, if the 2010 Legislature implements the governor's proposed cuts, cities and counties will receive roughly $300 million less than they received in the current budget.The rainy-day fund — the Legislative Stabilization Reserve Account — is projected to have roughly $700 million by July, according to the Associated Press.Gov. Dave Freudenthal has made it clear that he wants the reserve account to remain intact— so it is ready for a rainy day down the road.“We're not there yet,” Freudenthal remarked at last month's Wyoming Press Association's winter convention.Freudenthal pointed out that cities and counties have enjoyed generous funding during years of remarkable budget surpluses, and the proposed cuts would bring funding to a level comparable to those of 2003 and 2004.After living at an “incredibly high level of funding for a few years,” as Freudenthal noted, cities and counties shouldn't expect the same amount of funding, especially with the state's lower projected energy revenues.“Are we talking about what we need? Or what we want?” the governor asked.While funding cuts are never welcomed, it's too soon for Wyoming to tap into its rainy-day reserves. The economic forecast remains uncertain, and as state legislators consider Wyoming's budget, they would be wise to save money this session.

Wyoming legislators begin the 2010 budget session next week in Cheyenne, where they will decide over the next month how much money to spend, how much to save and how much to cut.

Unlike many states in the U.S., Wyoming is one of the few that is still in a position to keep money in the bank.

Amid decreases in sales tax revenues and the governor's proposal for funding cuts, local governments around the state have asked legislators to consider dipping into rainy-day reserve funding.

Their concern is that, if the 2010 Legislature implements the governor's proposed cuts, cities and counties will receive roughly $300 million less than they received in the current budget.

The rainy-day fund — the Legislative Stabilization Reserve Account — is projected to have roughly $700 million by July, according to the Associated Press.

Gov. Dave Freudenthal has made it clear that he wants the reserve account to remain intact— so it is ready for a rainy day down the road.

“We're not there yet,” Freudenthal remarked at last month's Wyoming Press Association's winter convention.

Freudenthal pointed out that cities and counties have enjoyed generous funding during years of remarkable budget surpluses, and the proposed cuts would bring funding to a level comparable to those of 2003 and 2004.

After living at an “incredibly high level of funding for a few years,” as Freudenthal noted, cities and counties shouldn't expect the same amount of funding, especially with the state's lower projected energy revenues.

“Are we talking about what we need? Or what we want?” the governor asked.

While funding cuts are never welcomed, it's too soon for Wyoming to tap into its rainy-day reserves. The economic forecast remains uncertain, and as state legislators consider Wyoming's budget, they would be wise to save money this session.